Reagins has drawn tons of deserved criticism for acquiring Vernon Wells last offseason, as the deal looked like a mistake immediately due to the huge contract for a non-elite player (and the fact that he gave up Mike Napoli in the process) and now looks even worse after Wells had the worst season of his career.

Reagins has been the Angels’ GM since replacing Bill Stoneman in October of 2007 and was previously the team’s director of player development. He received a contract extension following the 2009 season. Based on his public comments all week, Reagins certainly didn’t seem like a man expecting to be leaving his job. He’ll reportedly stay with the organization as a special assistant for now.

Yes, he is. While he doesn’t impose himself openly on the front office, he’s clearly bigger than the GM.

cur68 - Sep 30, 2011 at 5:35 PM

And so it has come to this. Another GM bites the dust because of Vernon. First Riccardi, now Reagins. There. I told you. I told you all. Vernon Wells is EVIL. Evil incarnate. He will come for you. Soon. That Wells won’t die, in the nightmare that won’t end. He cannot be bargained with. That Wells is out there! He can’t be bargained with. He can’t be reasoned with. He doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And he absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are miserable watching him play! Yeah. He’s an Angel now. But, I put it to you, what kind of Angel? One of the bad ones, that’s what.

Well, that certainly was creative and aggressive, Orange County style. First Burrito King shut down. Now this. My gut feeling is that the Angels will now spare no expense to pry Alex Rios from the White Sox. The guy is all potential.

Reagins takes the credit (or blame) as GM for the Vernon Wells trade, but Arte Moreno ultimately had to sign off on squandering $60 million that could have been deployed across the 25 man roster. At least Reagins can cut his loss while leaving the team holding the bag. Good move Tony.